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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Bahamas Consul General to Atlanta Randy Rolle is pictured with Vice Consul Monique D. Vanderpool (center) and Ms. Claudia Venezuela, El Salvador Consul General to Atlanta at the Independence Toast to The Nation Cocktail reception at the Consul General’s residence.
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ATLANTA, Georgia -- A family fun day picnic, Androsia-themed fashion show,
Junkanoo rush-out, church service and
cocktail reception were the highlights of this year’s 42nd Bahamas Independence
Celebrations hosted by the Bahamas Consul General’s Office in Atlanta.
Joining the festivities this year was Tim Whaddell of Popeye’s Louisiana
Chicken, who came on board as a partner to treat over 500 attendees of the
picnic.
Special guest performer was Bahamian artist Veronica Bishop, one of this year’s
Independence Day music and culture award recipients.
Representatives from the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism’s Atlanta Office and Bahamas
in Georgia Association also spearheaded some of the activities.
“Every year, we are striving to connect with as many Bahamians in the area as
possible to a ‘common loftier goal’ as we sing in our national anthem,” said
Consul General Randy E. Rolle. “We are a proud people and we come from the best
island nation in the world and that is something we want to invoke within our
Bahamians abroad.”
Consul General Rolle added that moments like this are “not just about enjoying
our delicious cuisine or dancing to our music, but for us as a people to come
together to see how far we have come and to appreciate those who have gone
before us, whose shoulders we stand on, and why we celebrate independence.”
“We are grateful for the many men and women who today still tell the story of
how we came to be an independent nation,” said Rolle. “Living abroad, we want
to remind our younger generation to not simply identify as having Bahamian
heritage but to be proud members of our diaspora who share a rich heritage, culture
and history of being from one of the top nations in the region.”
The Bahamas Consulate General’s Office hosted an Independence Toast to The
Nation Cocktail reception at the Consul General’s residence on Friday before
the Popeye’s partnered Family Fun Day on Saturday, which featured Junkanoo, an
Androsia fashion show, Bahamian dishes, activities and Bahamian artist Veronica
Bishop. The celebration concluded on Sunday with a church service at St Paul’s
Episcopal Church.
“Veronica Bishop was a real treat,” said Rolle. “Not only is she a true
musician, but she is an artist who represents our heritage. Through her songs,
she translates stories that resonate with Bahamian culture and her music is
very relatable to Bahamian life. She was very well received.”
The Consul General thanked “all the Bahamians and friends of The Bahamas who
donated, prepared food, set up, participated and attended this event.”
“I was most pleased with seeing everyone come together as we strive to make
this one of the most anticipated summer events in the Atlanta area,” Consul
General Rolle said.
Bahamas Consul General to Atlanta Randy Rolle speaking at the Independence Toast to The Nation Cocktail reception at the Consul General’s residence. At left is Vice Consul Monique D. Vanderpool.
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Popular Bahamian singer Veronica Bishop was special guest performer at the Family Fun Day picnic. (Photos by Gianne Demeritte)
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